They say that if you fail to prepare you should prepare to fail, and it turns out that is what England were doing across the two understaffed days of training with which they launched themselves into this series.
England proceeded to get bowled out for 131 in 24.3 overs before Aiden Markram humbled their bowlers – picking on the debutant Sonny Baker – and propelled South Africa towards victory by seven wickets, sealed with 175 balls to spare.
